============================================ || || 16th June 2013 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Bulletin is being read by 1090 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please make contact via the LNU Website: http://www.lnu.org/ or e-mail wildlifenews@lnu.org or contact the Editor to join up and contribute articles or reports. [Or cancel!] E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor Writes *** I will be sending this Bulletin a little early to make sure the following information gets out in time. This Sunday, 16th June, is the launch of a Wildlife Watch group for the Coningaby/Tattershall/Woodhall Spa area. The meeting will be held in the Cottage Museum 10-11am and young people and their parents are welcome. Weather permitting, we will explore a local area looking at trees and other wildlife. We hope to discuss and help to plan future meetings. All ages [minimum 6 years approx.] are welcome, especially older children and teenagers willing to do practical conservation work. There is no initial charge for this first meeting and non-Watch members are also very welcome. [No unaccompanied children under 8 please.] Please come dressed suitably for outdoors! For more information contact Watch Organiser, Mary Porter on 07909 925419 or watch@lincstrust.co.uk or myself, Roger Parsons, on rparsons@enterprise.net WASH CRUISES - see below: Jeremy Eyons says cruises have sold out this year so far, with several Bulletin readers going on The Boston Belle. He says there are spaces on 28th August and 12th September. NOTE CANCELLATION - IMPORTANT Brian Hedley writes: Due to various access issues, including the area where parking was arranged has now been sold and new owner is unwilling for us to use it, I've regrettably decided to cancel the LNU meeting on 30th June at Brampton. For those of you afflicted by rogue emails with links to annoying malware downloads, I offer the following advice in doggerel form: If an email don't look right, don't click. If is just don't seem quite right, don't click. You may recognise the name, but that isn't quite the same. You should think before you click a dodgy link. A download happens when you click the link, And the awful problem passes on and on To inboxes of your friends, that's because the programme sends itself out with every email that has gone! [Not quite right, but it rhymes!] If an email don't seem right, delete. Don't open it and click. Just delete. That's less likely to offend than your click will in the end! If you think an email's dodgy, just delete. Roger *** Lincolnshire Show *** The LNU will have a pitch in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent at the Lincolnshire Show this year. Do drop by for a chat with us. Show Tickets are available at lots of outlets including the Co-op. I bought mine there last week. See: http://www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk/ *** Next LNU Event - all welcome *** For LNU meetings see section 11 for full programme. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Next Field Event: Friday, July 12, 2013 Bioblitz Event + Saturday 13 July Whisby Nature Park Southwest of Lincoln Use main car park (£1 fee applicable, 10am-4pm period) located at SK910662. Bioblitz "nerve centre" will be the Education Centre (not main visitor centre) and will open from 10am each day. Come and go when you like and see what species you can add. A range of experts will be around the site both days. Evening moth trapping and bat recording starting from about 9pm on Friday night, depending on weather. Event includes evening moth element. Habitats: Wide variety including woodland, grassland, brownfield habitats, lakes, ditches and marsh. Contacts: Phil Porter 01522 500676 whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk and Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Friday 21st June we invite you to join us on an evening walk with Mick Binnion looking for orchids in the field behind the sand dunes near to Cleethorpes boating lake. Meet at 7pm at Cleethorpes Discovery Centre. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 *** Grazing Marshes Workshop 22nd June *** Rachael Clarke writes: We are running a series of free workshops looking at the history of communities in Lincolnshire's coastal grazing marshes using LIDAR data (LIght Detection and Ranging) which was developed by NASA to scan the surface of planets. Evidence of salt making, abandoned settlements, redundant water courses and land reclamation in the area will be clealy visible. The first workshop will be held at 2pm Saturday 22 June at Anderby village hall. To book please call us on 01507 613134. http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ *** Black Ant Flying Days *** Black Ant Flying Days, when winged adults emerge to mate, are supposed to fall on or about 8th/9th July, but given the vagaries of the weather it could be earlier or later. Your reports will be welcome. Many species do this and so Alan Phillips will welcome observations and ant specimens for identification. Contact him on: norwegica@yahoo.co.uk See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18983219 County Aculeate Recorder [Ants, Bees and wasps] Alan writes: "The records I have from this year have mostly come from the Bulletin and people sending me photos to ID." *** Whale and Dolphin Watching 27th/28th July *** Dave Miller writes: A harbour porpoise was seen of the coast on 4th June at Anderby Creek from the Cloud Bar. This is to be one of the venues for this year’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend on 27th & 28th July. I am also running a watch from Skegness Pier. I could do with some more volunteers to help man these watches if you are available. I usually split the day in two – 10–1 & 1–4. Any help is much appreciated. If you can, please contact me on: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** Riverflies on Chalk Streams *** Ruth Snelson writes: The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP) are currently looking for volunteers to help with monitoring riverflies on chalk streams. If you are near a chalk stream and would be able to commit to monitoring the riverfly populations on an annual basis then we need your help. Please note: it will require collection of data from within the channel. Two free training days have been organised with the help of The Riverfly Partnership and Aby Fly Fishers on Friday 30th August and Saturday 31st August 2013. A Riverfly Partnership tutor will deliver the training. Spaces are limited to 12 per day. It will be held at Aby village hall and will include a site visit to the Great Eau, food and drink will be provided. The LCSP will provide the pack of equipment to collect the relevant data and provide life jackets. To book a place or to find out more detail please contact the LCSP Project Officer Ruth Snelson on 01507 609740 or email ruth.snelson@lincolnshire.gov.uk For more information on the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative visit http://www.riverflies.org/rp-riverfly-monitoring-initiative *** Beetle to Watch For *** Charlie Barnes writes: Elater ferrugineus, the Rusty Click Beetle, is classified as endangered in the UK, with records restricted to a few areas in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and London. Surveying involves using a pheromone baited trap to attract the beetle, mark it using ink and releasing. Following the poor summer in 2012, it is hoped to repeat the survey in 2013. We didn’t get any positive reports of Elater ferrugineus in Lincolnshire during the previous round of surveys – will 2013 be the year? Volunteers will be required to monitor traps set to attract the beetle. If you're interested in taking part, contact Charlie Barnes for more information. charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk *** Oil Beetles - The Hunt Continues - Reminder *** For the third year running, Buglife are promoting a national survey for our species of oil beetle, although only two of them (the Black oil beetle and the Violet oil beetle) have ever been seen in Lincolnshire. See: http://www.buglife.org.uk/getinvolved/surveys/Oil+Beetle+Hunt/Oil+Beetle+Hunt+-+The+Fab+Four.htm Records of oil beetles will help towards their conservation under the Biodiversity Action Plan - if you think you've seen one, let us know! Charlie Barnes County Recorder for Beetles charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk *** Useful Hoverfly photos *** http://www.uknature.co.uk/hoverflies.html http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/hoverflies.html *** Report Ash Dieback in Lincolnshire *** Link for Chalara fraxinea reports: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara *** RSPB Lincoln *** See: http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** S Lincs RSPB *** See: http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk *** BOSTON BELLE Wash Cruises 2013 *** The South Lincs RSPB have announced details of their Wash Birdwatching Cruises aboard The Boston Belle for 2013. Each cruise starts at Boston's Sluice Bridge Marina and lasts 4 to 5 hours. During 2012 over 100 different bird species, averaging about 60 per individual cruise, were seen. Sightings included plovers, turnstone, dunlin, knot, redshank, godwits, egret, eider, harriers, peregrine, terns, buzzard, gannet and kingfisher. Seals are also seen on most cruises. There is a programme of 12 cruises for 2013 starting 20th April and finishing 12th October. RSPB members and non-members are welcome. Full details including revised booking arrangements for 2013, can be found at: http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Update: Jeremy Eyons says cruises have sold out this year so far, with several Bulletin readers going on The Boston Belle. He says there are still spaces on 28th August and 12th September. *** Volunteer urgently needed for LNU Book sales *** Do you have experience of book-selling, record keeping or invoicing? you could be just the person we need. The LNU needs a volunteer Publications person to take charge of the sale of our Books. You would need space to store stock and there is scope to develop and promote this side of the LNU's scientific work. To see how this is organised at present visit the following LNU page: http://www.lnu.org/publications.php If you think you might be interested, e-mail the LNU Hon. Secretary: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 7/6 Red-backed Shrike, Black redstart, 2 Little gulls, Gibraltar Point Common Rosefinch m singing, Gibraltar Point, East Dunes Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Black Kite, west over RAF Waddington 8/6 Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 2 Black Terns, Freiston Shore Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 9/6 Common Rosefinch m singing, Gibraltar Point, East Dunes/Mill Hill 2 Black Terns, Frampton Marsh 10/6 Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Wood Sandpiper, 3 Black Terns, 2 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats Little Tern, Little Gull, Barton/Langtoft gravel pits 11/6 12/6 Pacific Swift, 1 mil SW of Saltfleetby. Sea View farm Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats 13/6 14/6 Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. Colin's Green's Butterflies: LINCOLN 12 Jun 13 Swallow beck between Swallowbeck Church, Newark Rd and bridge on Hykeham Rd, cloudy with occasional sun, windy. Looking for Common Blues (none seen). 1 x Brown Argos (M) nectaring on red clover. 2 x Large Whites. The grass has been cut on the opposite, more shady bank, let's hope this side is left for a while. CAISTOR Wendy Handford Reports from contributors to Caistor records Weeks 31.5.13 to 13.6.13 Audleby Top roadside TA 123 043 Crosswort. 1st June 2013. New on Caistor List Brigg Road garden TA 113 020 Hedgehog, adult. 5th June 2013 Brigg Road verge, disturbed, TA 111 026 Common fumitory 1st June 2013 Cut-leaved cranesbill 1st June 2013 Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Bat, probably common pipistrelle, behind normally closed stable door 31st May 2013 Hedgehog, 11.30pm 10th June 2013. 1st sighting this year Roe deer, adult male, 5am on Trailcam. 10th June 2013 Blackbird, adult male feeding juvenile under feeder Common buzzards, 2, calling and circling over coniferous wood Green woodpecker feeding on yellow ants in flowerbed 1st June 2013 Pheasant, 3 metres ahead of adult male fox carrying dead rabbit: Trailcam 7am 5th June 2013. Pied wagtails, pair, on house roof Songthrushes, 3 adults feeding on lawn and smashing snails on patio Common blue butterfly, female, 31st May. 1st sighting of 2013 Common blue damselfly, male and female, 6th June. 1st sighting of 2013 Small purple and gold moth 6th June 2013 White-shouldered house moth 11th June 2013 Amber water snail 50m from stream, 27th May 2013. New on Caistor List First flowers of 2013: Bistort 10th June 2013 Brooklime 31st May 2013 Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill 31st May 2013 Fox-and-cubs 6th June 2013 Foxglove 7th June 2013 Hay rattle 2nd June 2013 Heath woodrush, Luzula multiflora ssp multiflora. New on Caistor List Jacob’s ladder 4th June 2013 Lesser stitchwort 10th June 2013 Ox-eye daisy 2nd June 2013 Ragged robin 31st May 2013 Valerian 10th June 2013 Water avens 10th June 2013. New on Caistor list Caistor bypass farmland TA 114 005 Hedgehogs, 2 adults. Caistor Wildlife Area TA 111 015 Kestrel 1st June 2013 Meadow foxtail 1st June 2013 Whitebeam 1st June 2013 Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 Bats, 3, on 3 consecutive warm evenings Health Centre verge TA 120 011 Common poppy 1st June 2013 Corn chamomile 1st June 2013 Knotted hedge-parsley 1st June 2013. New on Caistor List Lesser yellow trefoil 1st June 2013 Pineapple weed 1st June 2013 Small-flowered buttercup 1st June 2013. New on Caistor List White campion 1st June 2013 White clover 1st June 2013 Navigation Lane TA 105 011 Hedgehog, adult 1st June 2013 Nettleton Lodge Game Farm TA 090 012 Cuckoo “calling continuously” Great tits, 3, fledge 7th June 2013 Hornet, queen A mirid plantbug Dryophilocorus flavoquadrimaculatus, 7th June 2013. New on Caistor list. Common comfrey Common forget-me-not North Kelsey Road TA 116 015 Fox, juvenile, at 3am 29th May 2013 Goldfinches, 4 juveniles fledge from nest in Mahonia Great pond snail eating tadpole, 25th May 2013. New on Caistor List. Common mallow 8th June 2013 Herb Robert with white flowers 8th June 2013 Smooth sow thistle 8th June 2013 Wood avens 8th June 2013 Sandbraes TA 108 018 Cuckoo 31st May 2013 Shieling farm TA 106 027 Sexton beetle with many mites 1st June 2013 Slender trefoil 31st May 2013. New on Caistor List *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and We welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DUNSBY FEN 11th June 2013 Ian Misselbrook 9.15 – 10.15 pm 1 male Cuckoo 1 Grey Partridge 1 Kestrel 1 Barn Owl 1 Little Owl Pair of yellow wagtails 3 singing Reed Warblers 2 singing Sedge Warblers At least 8 Common Whitethroat territories. 1 Brown Hare 10+ rabbits 1 bats larger than Pippistrelle but smaller than Noctule. HAGWORTHINGHAM TF341696 27/5/13 Robert Walker Badger 1 Dead road kill HORKSTOW SE498 770 Jenny Haynes Sunday 9 June 2013 Up to ten Shelduck in field opposite my house. Bats continue to be seen flying around the house at between 10.15pm and 10.30pm. Several Large Red Damselflies seen around pond, mating and then laying eggs in the water. HORNCASTLE TF261691 8/6/13 Robert Walker Hedgehog 1 Captured on 'Trailcam' video drinking from shallow ornamental 'stream' in front garden at 23.22.hours. HUTTOFT TF512 763 (my garden) JANE PENNINGTON Date: 8/6 Dunnock 1 Date: 9/6 Common blue damselfly 1 10/6 Peacock butterfly 1 13/6 Blackbirds 5 (parents and 3 fledgings together) Cardinal beetle 1 14/6 Collared doves 2 KIRKBY MOOR RESERVE TF223618 12/6/13 Robert Walker Slow Worm 1 Approx. 30 - 35cm in length. On centre of path, north of old water works buildings. Mid evening after rain showers. KIRKBY UNDERWOOD TF070271 26/5/13 Robert Walker Brown hare 5 Orange-tipped butterfly 5 Speckled Wood butterfly 1 Large Whites 12+ Hedgehog 1 Dead on road at TF047260 LINCOLN Witham St Hughs Ian Misselbrook 11th June 2013 Some flower covered bank that separates the industrial area from the housing development that has also been planted with trees produced more than 10 Bumble Bees (orange not buff or white rumps), 4 Common Blue Butterflies and a Brimstone. I think the wild flowers were probably sown as they consisted mainly of legumes; Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Black Medick and Red and White Clover with a few Ox-Eye Daisies and yellow composites; but they were being enjoyed by insects during my lunch break in the sun. SPILSBY 09.06.13 Mick Todd During a walk along Green Lane I came across a female grass snake and a purple coloured orchid (not sure of species) but possibly early purple? WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 11/6/2012 Cuckoo calling 9.30pm. [RP] 13/6/2013 - 17.11pm Red Kite dipping into garden at TF216 545.[RP] Seen at distance of only 5 metres - eye level. 14/6/2013 Marsh Harrier on ground near garden 4.30pm.[AP] Possible glimpse of tawny owl in owl box entrance.[AP] 15/6/2013 Cuckoo calling 5.30am.[RP] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs including RSPB Wash Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006059.aspx Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006128.aspx Week ending 14th June 2013 John Walker, Roger Briggs, Steve Hall, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth The dry spell ended on the 11th with a few very light showers but more persistent rain followed by the end of the week. Daytime temperatures rose to a humid 21.75°C on the 12th. The rain has freshened up the dune vegetation and all the species mentioned in last week’s notes are looking well. The marsh orchids are however not as robust as in other years, although the flowers remain rich in colour and variation, the spikes are not as tall. The saltmarsh is also beginning to green up with leaves of sea lavender, sea plantain, sea arrowgrass and sea aster showing well. Sea milkwort and sea thrift are flowering, the spikes of sea plantain and sea arrowgrass are breaking bud, and the flowers of sea sandwort on the outer embryo dunes are showing. It has been another dismal week for butterflies with only a few wall browns, orange tips and small coppers, but more small heaths are on the wing and several common blues were seen on the 14th. The same is true for dragonflies with four-spotted chasers, azure and large red damselflies in flight. The highlight of the birds was the Pacific Swift seen briefly, and photographed, by Barry Clarkson near Sea View on the 12th. It is assumed to be the same bird which was recently seen at Spurn Point. Other observations have included several Hobbies, Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite which drifted south along the dunes on the 12th. Cuckoos remain vocal and fledged birds are now beginning to appear, and in the Sea View area Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Jackdaw have all been successful. RSPB WASH Reserves - Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx Note - I have a copy of John's report for April 2013 if anyone would like me to send them a copy. I was away when it arrived. Roger Reports for May 2013 John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Grahame Hopwood and Colin Jennings RSPB Frampton Marsh Two Spoonbills were seen during the month, one of which was ringed in Holland. A Black Brant remained with the Dark-bellied Brent (until 20th). Just two Garganey were seen (8th & 28th). Montagu’s Harrier (19th) and Red Kite (31st) also didn’t hang around for long. A Black-winged Stilt (7th) was present for just one day. Temminck’s Stints were more obliging with up to six present (9th-25th). Although generally a poor month for waders there were up to three Curlew Sandpipers (30th), one Little Stint (25th-31st) and two Wood Sandpipers (6th & 16th-18th). Up to four Mediterranean Gulls were seen (30th) with three Little Gulls regularly and one Yellow-legged Gull (30th). Turtle Doves were regular with up to four. There were single sightings of Black Redstart (14th) and Whinchat (18th). RSPB Freiston Shore - see "Other sites" Gibraltar Point NNR On the sea both Black-throated (17th) and Great Northern Divers were seen (25th) with Pomarine Skua (17th) and two Puffins (10th & 17th). On land migration was in full swing with plenty of birds passing through. A Great White Egret was seen on a couple of dates (20th & 21st) as were Spoonbill (16th & 19th), Iceland Gull (2nd & 28th), Montagu’s Harrier (22nd & 31st), Osprey (6th & 26th), Red-rumped Swallow (9th & 11th), Red-breasted Flycatcher (20th & 27th), Hawfinch (6th & 26th), Black Redstart (6th & 31st) and Greenish Warbler ( 29th & 31st). While Crane (1st), Woodlark (1st), Caspian Gull (2nd), Pallas’s Warbler (7th), Red-spotted Bluethroat (17th), Ring Ouzel (18th),Temminck’s Stint (21st) and Golden Oriole (31st) were all seen on single dates. One or two Common Rosefinches were seen and heard singing on at least three dates towards the end of the month and a Red-backed Shrike was present in the same period. Firecrests were seen on three dates, while Jays were still unusually numerous with up to 50 present. Other sites A Honey Buzzard was reported over Sutton Bridge (11th) with Ospreys reported at Deeping Lakes (7th) and Market Deeping (16th). Three Black Terns were at North Hykeham Pits (7th). The only Garganey reported inland was at Crowland (23rd). The wader highlight was a trip of 11 Dotterel at Wainfleet Marsh (4th) with up to three Wood Sandpipers (6th) and a Curlew Sandpiper (26th) at RSPB Freiston Shore. Cetti’s Warblers were on territory on at least three sites in the south of the county. A Nightjar sitting on a wooden crate at Dunsby Fen (28th) was an unexpected find and even more so was Lincolnshire’s third White-throated Sparrow in a garden in Spalding on this date. Finally a White-winged Black Tern was seen briefly at Kirkby Pits (31st). Note - I have a copy of John's report for April 2013 if anyone would like me to send them a copy. I was away when it arrived. John Badley Recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Assisted by Colin Jennings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1083404.aspx http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings NewsFar Ings News W/E 14.06.13 BIRDS Max nos. Avocet 9 barn owl blackbird 20+ blackcap 5 black-headed gull 30 blue tit 6 Canada goose 15 carrion crow 4 Cetti's warbler chaffinch 12 chiffchaff 4 collared dove 2 common gull common tern 8 coot 30+ dunnock 6 gadwall goldfinch 3 GC grebe 5 great tit 5 greenfinch grey heron greylag goose 40+ herring gull house martin 8 house sparrow 10 kestrel LBB gull 2 lesser whitethroat little gull long tailed tit 4 magpie 4 mallard 15 marsh harrier 2 moorhen 6 mute swan 8 oystercatcher 2 pheasant 3 pied wagtail 2 pochard 18 reed bunting 7 reed warbler 40 robin 6 sand martin 4 sedge warbler 20 shelduck 16 song thrush 2 sparrowhawk starling 15 swallow 30+ swift 70+ tufted duck 14 water rail whitethroat 12 willow warbler 7 wood pigeon 8 wren 6 Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1006846.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) For the Limewoods, see: http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/about/conservation/bardney-limewoods-nnr/ and Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** iSpot *** The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website: http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/275032 A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives This is a project run by The Open University as part of Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), where you can "Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen." The project is essentially in the business of helping people learn how to identify the wildlife they encounter, and encouraging them to get involved in biological recording. *** Contacts List *** *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: I have recently agreed to take on the roles of Regional Co- ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com tel. 07984 66 5847 *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information? Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Butterfly Conservation Recorder *** Allan Binding asks contributors of butterfly records to the Bulletin to include their address or contact telephone or e-mail address and Grid Reference if possible. e-mail: allan.binding@ntlworld.com *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://www.lincolnshire-butterflies.org.uk/index.html *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** Hedgehog Survey *** Not yet sure if this will extend to the current autumn/winter. http://www.hedgehogstreet.org/pages/hibernation-survey.html *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Grow-you-own Mistletoe *** http://www.mistle.co.uk/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in reports. *** Lincs Bird Club *** Secretary - Robert Carr secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Membership Secretary - Mike Harrison: michael@michaelharrison1.wanadoo.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders County Bird Recorder, covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Badley recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk for John Clarkson Bird Club Website: http://www.lnu.org/ www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** Other Useful Websites *** Key links are now being posted on the LNU website. http://www.lnu.org/ This should save space in the Bulletin, Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Still includes SSSI Information and "Nature on the Map" Lincolnshire Environmental Awards http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) To learn more about the project or to find out how to get involved, please visit http://www.lincsmarshes.org.uk/ Hartsholme Country park. To learn more about the park or to get in involved at the park please visit http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/visitor-and-leisure/parks-and-open-spaces/hartsholme-country-park/ contact Park Rangers at hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk Tornado and Storm Research Organisation http://www.lnu.org/ www.torro.org.uk Contact Ian Loxley on colarain@tiscali.co.uk *** Interesting Weather radar website *** Noel Loxley recommends the following interesting website. http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ RSPB Contact Details RSPB Website: http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.lnu.org/ www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Bardney Limewoods Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk EasyTide Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx TWO - The Weather Outlook Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ Joan Gunson's Moths recorded 2013: http:www.flickr.com/photos/angleshades Alan Dale's Bugs and Weeds http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015pqyz Les Binns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecoheathen/sets/ Leslie Hebden http://www.flickr.com/photos/13718295@N07/ Mike Binnion writes: Common Butterflies http://www.grimsbywildlife.co.uk/ Youtube videos by Colin Green. Little Scrubbs Meadon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqCJLrTQmg&feature=relmfu Greetwell Hollow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QmzLFrbjFU&feature=plcp Rimac http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s02O5JJoilQ&feature=plcp *** Other Useful E-mail Addresses *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union: info@lnu.org Gibraltar Point: gibpoint@lincstrust.co.uk Far Ings: farings@lincstrust.co.uk Whisby Nature Park: whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk NEW Syke's Farm: lwt@sykesfarm.org.uk Lincs. Trust HQ: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust main e-mail address: info@lincstrust.co.uk Lincolnshire FWAG: lincoln@fwag.org.uk Hartsholme Country Park: hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk If you would like your e-mail listed here, please let me know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in certain cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Biological Recorders at the Lincs. Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We will sometimes withhold precise details of the location of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. We ask that you respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report to national networks. Make a point of explaining site sensitivity and any restrictions on access. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Saturday, June 08, 2013 Field Meeting - With evening moth/bat element Allington Meadows SSSI (Courtesy of Bill Cragg) Northwest of Grantham 12.00 for 13.00 start and then 9pm start for evening session. Car parking at SK871399 about half way along minor road between Allington and Gonerby Moor junction of A1. Habitats: Hay meadows, hedges, ponds and Foston Beck. Leader: Barry Johnson barryjohnson131@gmail.com Sunday, June 30, 2013 - CANCELLED Field Meeting Brampton Farmland (Courtesy of R and A Brownlow) Friday, July 12, 2013 Bioblitz Event + Saturday 13 July Whisby Nature Park Southwest of Lincoln Use main car park (£1 fee applicable, 10am-4pm period) located at SK910662. Bioblitz "nerve centre" will be the Education Centre (not main visitor centre) and will open from 10am each day. Come and go when you like and see what species you can add. A range of experts will be around the site both days. Evening moth trapping and bat recording starting from about 9pm on Friday night, depending on weather. Event includes evening moth element. Habitats: Wide variety including woodland, grassland, brownfield habitats, lakes, ditches and marsh. Contacts: Phil Porter 01522 500676 whisbynp@lincstrust.co.uk and Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, August 04, 2013 Field Meeting Middlemarsh Farm (Courtesy of J and S Dodsworth) Southwest of Skegness 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road southwards situated about half way between the Burgh bypass and Skegness. Private track to the farm is on left about 1.25km from main road. Keep on track for about 1km and park in farm yard at TF528632. Habitats: Pasture, wetland recreation area, ditches and some arable. Leaders: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, September 07, 2013 Field Visit - With evening moth/bat element Byrons Lodge and Farm, North Somercotes, (Courtesy of B and L Libell) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening moth/bat session starting at 7.30pm. Park along driveway to Byrons Lodge at TF415973 (postcode LN11 7LL) or on minor road verge nearby. Take Jubilee Road off the A1031 and then turn left onto Bank End road. Then take first right and Byrons Lodge is about 150m along on right. NB. Owner has stipulated no children for this one. Habitats: Pasture, pond, young woodland and various drains. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 13, 2013 Fungus Foray Snipe Dales Country Park - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust East of Horncastle, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the Country Park car park (£1 fee) TF330 682 which is well signposted from the A158 Skegness- -Lincoln road and from the B1195 Horncastle--Spilsby road. Some steep slopes present. Habitats: Grassland, marsh and mixed woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you hear of anyone bemoaning the lack of a Bulletin, please refer them to the Bulletin Portal where they will find a copy. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html If you are having difficulties with spam folders etc. please make sure you "Whitelist" my address as given in the Bulletin. Latest Mailfails - see notes above. Emails from Enterprise to Hotmail are being blocked. My thank-yous to various folks have been returned. Sorry about this. Beyond my control. The following subscribes suffered "Hard bounces" from the last mailing and will be deleted from the mailing list. Please contact me with an alternative email address. anderpop.chuff - unable to deliver derek2fisherman - no account jo-dixon1 - no account teri.garrett - account disabled "Soft bounces" were as follows. alandale - 552 Spam Message Rejected ben.gmiller - mailbox unavailable chrisjpotts - 552 Spam Message Rejected furniconsult - delivery failed geoff@muscroft - 552 Spam Message Rejected hartsholmecp or Lisa.Blezzard - delivery failed hendrina - delivery failed mail@robmartyr - bad destination system: no such domain ---------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/